TECH TIME REVIEW: Windows Phone 8X is best Windows Phone offering yet

In the grand scheme of the smartphone world, Windows Phones still make up a very small percentage of the overall market.

But that hasnít stopped Microsoft from continuing to improve on their phone offerings on the various carriers, and this year there have been several offerings aimed at raising the profile of the Windows Phone ecosystem, as they try to dent the market domination of Apple and Android phones.

One such offering from Verizon Wireless is the new Windows Phone 8X by HTC, which I recently had the chance to test.

Iím back with a full report of what it offers compared to its smartphone competition.

LOOKSOne demand that smartphone buyers today have is that their phones are thin and light. Gone are the thick, heavy phones of the past, and even big-screen phones are low in the ounce count these days.

My test phone was an attractive blue color on the back and on the front border, but there are also black and red options from Verizon if that suits your tastes more.

The rubbery material on the back of the phone provides a decent grip, and overall, while itís not the sturdiest of all smartphones, itís still well-made and should withstand the usual amount of abuse and spills a phone might take.

DisplayOverall screen size on the Windows Phone 8X is 4.3 inches, not as big as some of the new phones coming out, but big enough for most people. Itís a size that fits quite comfortably in the hand, and allows for one hand typing on the on-screen keyboard.

The resolution on the phone is 720p, so itís HD but not 1080p full-HD like some other new phones.

While I wasnít too big on the new crop of Windows Phone offerings when they first came out a couple years back, I must admit that Windows 8, especially the tile setup out front that gives you quick access to your favorite apps and features, and live updating tiles, is starting to grow on me. Once you figure out how to use it and make your most common features quickly accessible, itís as easy to use as most Android or Apple phone offerings.

The other nice feature about Windows Phone devices is their strong integration with other Microsoft products (such as Outlook, Office, OneNote, SharePoint,SkyDrive, Xbox), if you are invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

For those of you with kids who like to use your phone, a feature called Kidís Corner gives them access only to the aspects of the phone you choose to give them access to.

If youíre into cloud storage of your files, SkyDrive keeps your items online and they are accessible from any device that can access the Internet.

APPSThe biggest knock on Windows Phone offerings that helps keep down the food chain in smartphones is the apps gap. Basically, that means that, in my view, Microsoftís store for apps comes nowhere near what is offered by Apple and Android, leaving users frustrated with the offerings they have to choose from. This will continue to be a main problem for Microsoft, and is a byproduct of them being late to step up their game in the smartphone arena while their competitors soared.

PROCESSOR, STORAGENo complaints here, as the 1.5GHz dualĖcore processor and 1GB of RAM keep the phone humming along without delays. Web browsing, game play and other duties on the phone were not a burden on the system.

In terms of storage, you get 16GB of internal memory, but there is no way to upgrade. This will be a concern for people who like to store a lot of apps and large files on their phone, as the room will go away very quickly.

BATTERY LIFEThe Windows Phone 8X and its 1800 mAh LiĖIon battery do a solid job of keeping the phone running, as it got me through each day.

The concern, though, is that the battery is nonremovable, meaning that you donít have the option to carry a spare in case youíre going to be unable to charge it for a longer period of time.

WIRELESS CHARGINGThe good news: This phone features the ability to do wireless charging.

The bad news: Wireless charging port sold separately, which is disappointing.

NETWORK, CALLSYou get access to Verizonís 4G LTE network on the Windows Phone 8X, and the download and upload speeds are super snappy as usual.

Phone calls that I made were clean, which no dropped calls, and little noise or interference.

For messaging, the on-screen keyboard is responsive, but was a little too tiny for my tastes, especially when held vertically (horizontal was more manageable even for larger fingers).

CAMERAOne of the camera features that I like the most on the Windows Phone 8X is more of a design feature -- and that is the button on the side of the phone that works as a camera shutter.

That dedicated camera button is much better than what Iíve seen on many phones where they want you to tap the screen to take a picture. That just isnít natural with how we are trained to take pictures. So I like the dedicated button.

You get a 8MP auto-focus rearĖfacing camera with flash, and photos were decent -- though not the best Iíve seen on newer smartphones. Sharing your photos to social networking sites on online storage like Skydrive is very easy.

The front-facing camera is 2.1 megapixels, and features an 88-degree ultraĖwide angle; this is used primarily for video chat or self-portraits; and again, itís nothing too special.

One thing I do like about the camera is how you can instantly launch the camera, even from a locked screen, by pressing the shutter button on the side of your phone -- so a shorter delay before shooting.

In terms of video, both the front and rear cameras can record in 1080p HD quality.

MUSICLike almost all of HTCís new phones, the Windows Phone 8X features Beats Audio, which aims to improve the overall sound quality.

Itís a decent improvement, but is only really noticeable when listening via headphones. Out loud, a cell phone is still going to sound like a cell phone.

OTHER FEATURESó The phone is global ready

ó You can use data and voice simultaneously

ó For an extra monthly fee, you can use the phone as a Mobile Hotspot, with support for up to 8 Devices on 3G or 4G

ó NFC allows for Tap and Share of files with other NFC devices

ó Voice commands: Make a call, launch an app, send a text, take a note, find something online

PRICEThe Windows Phone 8X will cost you $99.99 with a 2-year contract from Verizon, or $549.99 without contract.

BOTTOM LINEThe Windows Phone 8X is a fast and easy-to-use phone, and probably the best Windows Phone that has been released to date.

But it lacks in some key areas and is not as great as it needs to be to truly compete against phones like the Samsung Galaxy phones or iPhones.

It will find some fans, particularly those who are big fans of the Windows Phone OS as compared to Apple or Android. And maybe some people new to smartphones who donít yet have a favorite system might go for it.

But with no real standout features that puts it above those competitors, thereís no way it can expect to be a big hit and make a major impact on the smartphone market overall.

On the WebFor more information on the Windows Phone 8X, visit www.verizonwireless.com.